For just a moment a look of disbelief takes hold of Vortigern's face, and I can't help but smile at the state I've left him in. If only he knew how my insides had dropped in almost the same fashion that his jaw had only moments prior. But then, all at once, a more familiar expression takes hold of his features. Pride fills his fiery eyes, and as he picked up his jaw there was a sense of resolution in the air. As if this was such a long time coming, but neither of us had been ready to recognize that fact. Now both of our feelings had been laid bare before the other, finding they reflected back in perfect harmony. Mates.

As he stepped forward to me, I pressed myself into him. I moved forward to run my nose up behind his ear, huffing lightly to place my scent there as well. I felt the light nip he placed upon my ear, and my own teeth snapped playfully in return, catching a tuft of the black fur from his cheek as he withdrew. I held it lightly in my grasp, my lips spreading in a toothy grin before I dropped my forequarters to the earth in a playful bow. Depositing his fur on the ground, I leapt forward, tail waving out behind me with exuberance. Every time he called me his mate my heart felt as though it might burst! Dancing around him, I pawed at the air between us, hopping back and forth between each forepaw.

"We shall, my mate," I responded, the joy within me threatening to make me implode if I did not release it into the world. For just a moment I paused, watching as Vortigern tipped his head back and sang out to the pack. How lucky was I to have found him? Or rather, for him to have found me. Perhaps we were not imprints, but it still felt as if fate bound us. For half of my heart was his, and half of his mine, and that was more to me than sharing a piece of my soul with another. We had chosen one another, and we would never let each other go. Finally, I tossed my crown towards the heavens, a vociferous howl loosing from deep within, singing my happiness out for all the world to hear. Mates, indeed.